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Part of the Republican buzz in Salina on Saturday was an airplane pulling a banner that read "KS GOP: Vote the Kansas Way."

Next came a large tour bus that parked at the Salina Ramada Inn, and out came several Republican candidates for state and national offices.

They walked into the hotel as Saline County party promoters chanted, "Clean sweep, clean sweep."

With the Tuesday general election looming, the Republicans are looking to snare every race in Kansas.

"We really do have a terrific Republican ticket this year," said Sen. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, who is running for 1st District Representative. Among his opponents is Salina Democrat Alan Jilka.

"We are what makes America great. We are going to change this country," Huelskamp said. Roughly 75 people attended the rally.

Salina has been a frequent stop for GOP leaders during this election campaign. Following the primary election in August, they staged a unity rally at the Ramada Inn.

Many of the same players returned Saturday, first for a Saline County Republican Party Central Committee meeting. Committee Chairman Clarke Sanders organized local Republicans to wave campaign signs and pushed them to attend an election night watch party from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Quality Inn, 1820 W. Crawford.

"It's been quite a whirlwind the last 30 days," he said. "Tuesday night is going to be a very exciting night."

Tom Arpke offered to buy breakfast for anyone willing to wave his campaign signs. "You pick the restaurant," he said.

Arpke's running for 69th District representative. His Democrat opponent is Gerrett Morris.

Republican 108th District hopeful Steven Johnson, of Assaria, praised party helpers.

"Candidates do not win elections. Organizations do. The organization and coordination of our executive team has been great," Johnson said. He's looking to unseat Democrat Don Svaty from Ellsworth.

The rally culminated with Salina serving as the last of 22 stops on the four-day Clean Sweep Bus Tour throughout Kansas.

"We started the general election here, and we ended the general election here. All roads lead to Salina," said Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, running for Kansas Attorney General. The incumbent is Democrat Steve Six.

The message from Kansans in every county, Schmidt said, "is changing the direction of state government and pushing back against federal excess."

During his rally speech, Schmidt mentioned health care reform and environmental regulations.

"There is a sense the federal government is beyond the control of the electorate," he said.

The bus was 50 minutes late and gubernatorial candidate Sen. Sam Brownback was not aboard. Because of a prior commitment, he left the tour in Garden City, said Steve Fitzgerald, state Republican Party treasurer, who was on the tour in Salina.

Sherriene Jones-Sontag, with Brownback's campaign in Topeka, said later Saturday that the senator had another event on his calendar "that he'd been committed to for several months prior to this event being organized."

Brownback's running mate, Sen. Jeff Colyer, R-Overland Park, was on the bus and spoke to the crowd.

"This (election) is about taking our great state back," he said. "Government should be smaller and more responsive. We should have the economy growing again."

n Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at tunruh@salina.com.

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